Edward Weevil's strength was undeniable. To cripple him with two bullets—such formidable power was something even an Admiral might not achieve in a short time.
"If Zephyr-sensei hadn't tied down Edward Weevil, never mind heavily wounding him, it would have been a challenge just to hit him." Cage humbly rubbed his head. This was the truth.
Through this battle, he understood a crucial point: although his power was lethal, it was utterly insufficient against top-tier powerhouses. They could use their incredibly refined Observation Haki to evade the bullets' trajectory.
Edward Weevil could do it with ease, let alone Admirals or Four Emperors-level combatants.
"To hit those people, besides sneak attacks, I'll need Observation Haki higher than theirs," Cage pondered. If Observation Haki reached a certain level, one could even glimpse into the future for a short period, and the enemy's every move would be laid bare.
"Let's give a proper burial to the new recruits who died on the island." A mournful expression crossed Zephyr's face. This generation of recruits had suffered the heaviest losses.
With the new recruits almost entirely wiped out, the sea training exercise was consequently ended. When the news reached Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha was exceptionally furious. In his rage, he directly had Edward Weevil thrown into Impel Down.
All the new recruits had perished, but Cage, Binz, and Ain were all assigned to active duty units and granted military ranks.
Ain, the Return-Return Fruit user, was directly promoted to Ensign.
Binz, the Grow-Grow Fruit user, was directly promoted to Ensign.
As for Cage, in recognition of his exceptional performance in this operation, he was given a special promotion to Marine Headquarters Commodore. He was assigned to Marine Branch 16, temporarily serving as its highest-ranking officer. Ain was also ordered to accompany him, though Binz refused the assignment.
Being Cage's subordinate was a blow to Binz's pride.
Being assigned to Branch 16 left Cage quite displeased. The place he yearned for was the New World, teeming with powerhouses. If he remembered correctly, Branch 16 was in the East Blue, wasn't it?
Cage really wasn't interested in that region.
"You're still young... only eighteen this year. At such a young age, ordinary people haven't even graduated, yet you're already a Commodore. Go to the East Blue for some experience first. I imagine Sengoku thinks the same," Zephyr advised upon hearing the news.
"The East Blue, huh? Sigh... If I must go, I'll treat it as a vacation."
Cage sighed, finally compromising with reluctance.
———
Time flew by quickly.
Three days later, Cage arrived by ship at Marine Branch 16. Greeting him was a Captain—Captain Nezumi.
"Commodore Cage, welcome to our base."
At the harbor, Captain Nezumi led numerous Marines in a welcome ceremony.
They even rolled out a red carpet.
"Put away all this flashy stuff. I'm here to fight pirates, not for a fashion show." Cage wasn't fond of Captain Nezumi, a notoriously corrupt individual. With his sharp features and sly face, one could tell he was no good.
"Uh... as you command."
Captain Nezumi's face stiffened slightly, then he motioned to his subordinates. The red carpet was quickly rolled up. A higher rank meant absolute authority, and he dared not disobey.
Ten minutes later, the group returned to Marine Branch 16.
Captain Nezumi's planned banquet was also politely declined by Cage. After several days at sea, including a pirate attack, Cage hadn't rested much and opted for an early night.
The next day, Cage ordered Captain Nezumi to report all information regarding pirates in the vicinity of the East Blue.
However...
"You're reporting false military intelligence."
Cage immediately lost his temper. The intelligence report contained no information about pirates, painting a picture of universal peace.
"Commodore Cage, I don't understand what you mean," Captain Nezumi asked, his face ashen. He was a man in his fifties, and being reprimanded by a greenhorn like Cage was simply unacceptable.
"You're publicly a Marine Captain, but secretly you're colluding with pirates, helping them conceal information, and you've lined your pockets quite a bit, haven't you?"
"It's human nature to get rich in office, I can understand that. But conspiring with those pirates is unforgivable. I despise pirates more than anything."
Cage directly ordered the guards outside the office, "Arrest this scoundrel."
Captain Nezumi instantly panicked, quickly saying, "Commodore Cage... the East Blue is just a small place. Just turn a blind eye; why make trouble for yourself?"
"Don't assume everyone is like you." Cage waved his hand, and guards immediately escorted Captain Nezumi away.
Not only were corrupt individuals like Captain Nezumi dealt with, but also many inactive Marines, those who were just coasting along, or those secretly colluding with pirates, were all disciplined. For a time, all Marines in the East Blue felt extremely uneasy.
Seven days later, the situation in the East Blue was much better than before. With Cage as a deterrent, at least the Marines no longer dared to secretly conspire with pirates.
"Commodore Cage, a little girl, about ten years old, wants to see you. Her hometown has been taken over by pirates, and she hopes our Marines can go defeat them."
Ain's voice came from outside the office. Cage, who had been sleeping, opened his eyes.
If there were pirates, he'd lead a team to eliminate them. When idle, he'd sleep or practice his marksmanship. This was Cage's life as a Commodore.
Cage wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, then said clearly, "Come in and speak, Ain."
Creak~
After the door was pushed open, Ain reported seriously, "The attacked location is Cocoyasi Village. The pirates there aren't ordinary pirates; it's said they're exclusively Fish-Men."
"Fish-Men?!"
Cage's brows furrowed. "Is their leader named Arlong?"
Ain was stunned upon hearing this, opening her mouth to ask, "You already knew?"
"It's those guys, alright..."
Cage's eyes glinted coldly. He immediately picked up the rifle beside his desk, slung it over his shoulder, and left.
"Prepare a ship for me immediately. Target: Cocoyasi Village."